Back in California, Lexicon was just a cut below the best. Good enough to start in the 1999 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, the 6-year-old son of Conquistador Cielo ran in six straight graded sprint stakes on the West Coast before trainer Dick Mandella shipped him east in search of a softer spot.
Responding immediately to the change of scenery, Lexicon shot to the front early in yesterday’s $75,000 Paumonok Handicap at Aqueduct, set a quick pace (:22.2, :45) and never looked back, scoring by 1½ lengths under Aaron Gryder while sizzling six furlongs in 1:09. Say Florida Sandy, the 3-2 favorite, closed late for second with Kashatreya third.
“Brutally Frank was trying to keep up with us early, but no one can match this horse’s speed,” Gryder said. “He’s got the kind of natural speed that takes you to the front with ease. You’re pretty much a passenger. He’s just better than these.”
Joe Bravo, who rode Say Florida Sandy, said, “Lexicon was the only speed horse, and that hurt us. We were second best to a solid sprinter.”
Lexicon, who has won 10 of 30 starts earning $678,439, paid $6.50 topping a $15.20 exacta and $93.50 trifecta.